Relative Pronouns as Modifiers of The Subject

Relative Pronouns as Modifiers of The Subject :

The various kinds of modifiers and complements have all been studied in other pages - each in connection with the construction which it illustrates. For purposes of analysis, however, it is necessary to consider modifiers as such and complements as such.

The topics will be taken up in the following order.

(1) modifiers of the subject and modifiers of the predicate

(2) complements

(3) modifiers of complements

(4) modifiers of modifiers

A word or group of words that changes or modifies the meaning of another word is called a modifier.

3. {Cottages | English cottages | Cottages in England} are often thatched.

4. The boy listened {eagerly. | with eagerness.}

5. I coughed {purposely. | on purpose.}

6. The bullet passed {harmlessly. | without doing harm.}

Modifiers may be attached not only to substantives and verbs, but also to adjectives and adverbs.

All modifiers of substantives are called adjective modifiers. All modifiers of verbs, adjectives and adverbs are called adverbial modifiers.

Note : The terms adjective modifier and adjective are not synonymous. All adjectives are adjective modifiers, but all adjective modifiers are not adjectives. Thus, in “Henry’s skates are rusty,” the possessive noun Henry’s is an adjective modifier, since it limits the noun skates as an adjective might do.

A group of words used as a modifier may be either a phrase or a clause.

1. {Able men | Men of ability | Men who have ability} can always find employment.

2. I spoke {thoughtlessly. | without thinking. | before I thought.}

A phrase or a clause used as an adjective modifier is called an adjective phrase or clause.

A phrase or a clause used as an adverbial modifier is called an adverbial phrase or clause.

Adjective and adverbial clauses are always subordinate…..because they are used as parts of speech.

Modifiers of The Subject

Any substantive in the sentence may take an adjective modifier, but modifiers of the subject are particularly important.

The simple subject may be modified by (1) an adjective, an adjective phrase or an adjective clause (2) a participle (3) an infinitive (4) a possessive (5) an appositive.

Adjectives as Modifiers of The Subject

Adjective Phrases as Modifiers of The Subject

Adjective Clauses as Modifiers of The Subject

The simple subject may be modified by an adjective, an adjective phrase or an adjective clause.